Huge new £350m plan to transform UK city 7 years after major project abandoned

A massive £350million-plan to revamp a long-disused part of Bristol promises to transform a derelict, former diesel depot site “into a vibrant urban quarter”.

Financial services and asset management firm Legal & General are proposing the construction of 520 new homes, more than 200 of which it says would be “affordable”, on wasteland next to Temple Meads station.

The ambitious project would also see two new office buildings constructed, as well as “flexible workspaces”, and retail space.

Additionally, the plan envisions a new hotel with conference facilities on “Temple Island”, an area next to the Bath Road Bridge that became known as “Arena Island”.

Almost seven years ago, plans for 10,000-seater arena were thought to have been “shovel ready”, but were shelved by former mayor Marvin Rees.

The plans had been drawn up by the previous mayor George Ferguson, and Rees decided a mixed development would be more appropriate as part of the huge Temple Quarter regeneration area, Bristol Live reports.

Legal & General’s plan has now been submitted to Bristol council chiefs, and has been hailed as an “exciting milestone” by the leader of Bristol City Council, Tony Dyer.

Some of Temple Island has already been put aside for student accommodation, though the rest of the site will be mainly apartments, the outlet reports.

The planning application could see work begin in 2026.

In a press release, L&G said it was working “in partnership with Bristol City Council, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and other public sector partners to deliver on its ambition to provide a truly inclusive community with 40% of all housing catering to social and affordable rents, shared ownership, and Keyworkers at sub-market rents”.

Dyer, a Green Party Councillor for Southville ward, Bristol, and Leader of Bristol City Council said: “It’s great to see proposals for much needed new homes and commercial space submitted for Temple Island.

“The council has been working with L&G for a long time to bring these plans forward, so this is an exciting milestone to reach after so much hard work.

“Temple Island will be a key part of the wider Bristol Temple Quarter area, contributing to our ambitions to deliver 10,000 new homes and thousands of new jobs across the area.

He added that the planning application is “a brilliant springboard to kickstart 2025 for Bristol Temple Quarter, which looks set to be a significant year for the project”.

Ben Rodgers, L&G’s Head of Regeneration said: “Legal & General seeks to deliver precisely targeted investment through a place-based approach to creating transformative mixed-use communities.

“We are excited by the opportunity to regenerate Temple Island, revitalising the urban landscape and providing the key infrastructure that businesses, universities, and the public sector need to thrive alongside much-needed housing for the local population in Bristol.

“All the feedback from the public engagement has immensely benefitted the final planning application, and we are grateful to the residents and stakeholders who took the time to speak with us. We look forward to continuing to work with our long-term partners to develop a new landmark on this prominent city centre site.”